Virgin formation flight

[Mach 80]

Just curious of anyone knows if the Virgin flight that did some formation flying with Branson's spaceship near SFO got some sort of special permission from the FAA to do so. I think it was a routine passenger flight but perhaps Virgin made arrangements with the FAA for a special charter, if not, I would think someone might be in trouble.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

They were probably both just landing on the 28's .

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Flight was was in 2012. Nobody got in trouble. Have you ever flown the visual approaches into the 28s in SFO? We do this all the time, as well as side by side takeoffs on the 1s. Look at the airport layout to understand why.

 

[waveflyer]

This video is from 2011, but it's really not 28's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZj7LB1ilnY

 

[Mach 80]

Yeah....that's the one. Certainly too far out to be doing the SFO 28 thing at that point. I'm fairly convinced it was a specially arranged thing with the FAA's blessing. Didn't know it was a couple years ago.

 

[C-150ETOPS]

This video is from 2011, but it's really not 28's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZj7LB1ilnY

Wow, really cool.

Love the view from the back.

However, if that vid was some ad hoc move on a normal schedule revenue flight, I would have approved a summary execution post deplaning.

 

[humveedriver]

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/20...cs-spaceship-launcher-circles-bay-area-skies/

Doesn't speak to the FAA waiver but obviously part of the same publicity campaign.

 

[atr42flyer]

it was a VIP charter flight filled well VIP's and press. It was not a scheduled 121 flight.

 

[waveflyer]

Any truth to the rumor that Virgin America promised that one of their pilots would be crew on the space plane?

 

[BORG]

Any truth to the rumor that Virgin America promised that one of their pilots would be crew on the space plane?

From 2008:
https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/a...galactic-launch-race-for-space-pilot-exchange

"The companies also announced their intent to institute a pilot exchange, under which select Virgin America pilots will enter Virgin Galactic's rigorous training program."